“The Love of Christ Jesus”/Proverbs 28, “More Proverbs of Solomon,” XXXV

A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus

“Let The Church Say Amen,” Andrae Crouch Featuring Marvin Winans

 “More Proverbs of Solomon,” XXXV, Proverbs 28:26) He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool:  but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.   27) He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack:  but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.  28) When the wicked rise, men hide themselves:  but when they perish, the righteous increase. 

John Gill’s Exposition Of The Bible – v26, He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool  Since the thoughts and imaginations of the thoughts of the heart are only evil, and that continually; they are vain and vague, sinful and corrupt; the affections are inordinate, the conscience defiled, the understanding darkened, and the will perverse; there is no good thing in it, nor any that comes out of it, but all the reverse; it is deceitful and desperately wicked: he must be a fool, and not know the plague of his heart, that trusts in it; and even for a good man to be self-confident, and trust to the sincerity of his heart, as Peter did, or to the good frame of the heart, as many do, is acting a foolish part; and especially such are fools as the Scribes and Pharisees, who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others, when a man’s best righteousness is impure and imperfect, and cannot Justify him in THE SIGHT OF GOD; it is moreover a weak and foolish part in men to trust to the wisdom and counsel of their heart, to lean to their own understanding, even it, things natural and civil, and not to ask WISDOM OF GOD, or take the advice of men, and especially it, things religious and sacred; see ( Proverbs 3:5 Proverbs 3:6 ) ; but whoso walketh wisely;  as he does who walks according to the rule of the divine word; who makes THE TESTIMONIES OF THE LORD his Counselors; who consults with HIS SACRED WRITINGS (THE BIBLE), and follows the directions of Them; who walks as he has CHRIST for his pattern and example, and makes THE SPIRIT OF GOD his guide, and walks after HIM, and not after the flesh; who walks with wise men, and takes their advice in all matters of moment, not trusting to his own wisdom and knowledge; who walks as becomes THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST, and in all THE ORDINANCES OF IT; who walks inoffensively to all men, and so in wisdom towards them that are without, and in love to them who are within; who walks circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time; he shall be delivered;  he shall be delivered from the snares of his own deceitful heart, which he will not trust; and from the temptations of Satan; and from all afflictions and troubles he meets with in the way; and from a final and total falling away; and from eternal death and destruction: “he shall be saved”, as some versions render it, even with an everlasting salvation. The Targum is, “he shall be protected from evil.”   v27,  He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack  That gives alms unto them, relieves them in their distress, supplies them with money, food, or clothes, and does it cheerfully, largely, and liberally, as the case requires; such an one shall not want any good thing; he shall not be the poorer for what he gives; he shall not miss it, nor his substance be diminished; he shall not come to poverty and want, yea, he shall be enriched, and his substance increased, for more is intended than is expressed. Jarchi interprets this of a wise man not restraining doctrine from a disciple, but giving it to him liberally; but he that hideth his eyes;  that is, from the poor, as the Targum and Syriac version add; that does not care to see his person, to behold his miseries, or know his case, lest his heart should be moved with compassion, and should draw out anything from him; see ( Isaiah 58:7 ) . Such an one shall have many a curse;  not only from the poor he hardens himself against, but from other persons, who observe his miserable and covetous disposition; and from THE LORD HIMSELF, WHO Abhors such persons, and Curses their very Blessings now, and will bid them DEPART FROM HIM AS ACCURSED PERSONS HEREAFTER.  v28, When the wicked rise, men hide themselves  When wicked men are raised to places of power and authority, rich men hide themselves, lest they should become a prey to them; and good men hide themselves, that they may not be put to death by them; or as ashamed to behold their evil actions; (See Gill on Proverbs 28:12); but when they perish;  wicked men, either by a natural or violent death; or perish as to their authority and power, being turned out of their places: the Righteous increase;  such who before hid themselves appear, and, being put into the places of the wicked, encourage Truth and Righteousness, by which means the number of good men is multiplied; and which is a great happiness to a nation, and shows the usefulness and advantage that good magistrates are of unto it.

“The Love of Christ Jesus”/Proverbs 28, “More Proverbs of Solomon,” XXXIV

A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus

“Emmanuel,”  Norman Hutchins

“More Proverbs of Solomon,” XXXIV, Proverbs 28:24) Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression:  the same is the companion of a destroyer.  25) He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife:  but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat.  1 Timothy 6:6. 

John Gill’s Exposition Of The Bible –  v24, Whoso robbeth his father or his mother  As Micah did of eleven hundred shekels of silver, ( Judges 17:2 ) ; and saith, [it is] no transgression;  what is his father’s or his mother’s is his own, or as good as his own, it will come to him at their death; and if he wants it before, he thinks he ought to have it; and if they are not willing to give it him, it is with him no sin to rob them of it; and this he says within himself, to quiet his conscience when he has done it; or to others who may charge him with it: but, whatever such a man thinks, sins against parents are greater than against others; as parricide is a greater sin than any other kind of murder, so robbing of parents is greater than any other kind of theft; it is more aggravated, especially when parents are aged, and cannot work for themselves, but depend on what they have for their livelihood; whereas a young man can, and ought, and should rather give to his parents than rob them of what they have; the same [is] the companion of a destroyer;  of a murderer; either he has got into such company which have put him upon such wicked practices; or he will soon get into such a society, and, from a robber of his father and mother, become a robber on the highway, and a murderer; and he has wickedness enough to be a destroyer of the lives of his parents, as well as of their substance; and sometimes the one sin leads to the other.   v25,  He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife  Or, of a “large heart” ^F3, or has an enlarged one; not with useful knowledge and understanding, as Solomon had; nor a heart enlarged with love and affection to the souls of men, as the Apostle Paul had; but either has a covetous one, who enlarges its desire as hell, and is never satisfied with what he has, and so is continually contending with his neighbours, engaging in lawsuits for their property, or unwilling to pay his lawful debts; or of a proud spirit, and despises all around him, and cannot bear opposition and contradiction; and is of a wrathful and revengeful spirit, and always at variance with his neighbours and quarrelling with them; see ( Proverbs 18:15 ) ; but he that putteth his Trust In THE LORD shall be made fat;  that TRUSTS IN THE LORD, both for things temporal and Spiritual; does not covet his neighbour’s goods, nor disturbs his peace, nor injures his person or property to increase his own, but depends upon THE LORD for a supply of necessary good things; such an one shall be fat and flourishing, both in his temporal and Spiritual estate; all he does shall prosper; he shall want no good thing, ( Psalms 84:11 Psalms 84:12 ) ( Jeremiah 17:7 Jeremiah 17:8)

“The Love Of Christ Jesus”/Proverbs 28, “More Proverbs of Solomon,” XXXIII

A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus

“Emmanuel,”  Norman Hutchins

“More Proverbs of Solomon,”  XXXIII, Proverbs 28:21) To have respect of persons is not good:  for for a piece of bread that man will transgress (sin).  22) He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.  23) He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. 

John Gill’s Exposition Of The Bible – v21,  To have respect of persons [is] not good, &c,  In courts of judicature, to give a cause or pass sentence in favour of a person, because he is rich, or is a relation, a friend, an acquaintance, or has done a kindness; and against another, because of the reverse, ( Leviticus 19:15 ) ( Deuteronomy 16:19 ) ; nor in religious assemblies, making a difference between the rich and the poor, ( James 2:1 James 2:2 ) ; this is not good in itself, nor productive of good effects, and cannot be Well Pleasing To GOD, WHO HIMSELF IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS; for for a piece of bread [that] man will transgress;  the laws of GOD and men; having used himself to such unrighteous methods of proceeding, he will do any base action for a small gain, he will stick at nothing, and do it for anything; as Cato used to say of M. Coelius the tribune,  “that he might be hired, for a morsel of bread, to speak or hold his peace;”  see ( Ezekiel 13:19 ) .  v22,   He that hasteth to be rich  As every man that is eagerly desirous of riches is; he would be rich at once ^F26, and cannot wait with any patience in the ordinary course of means: [hath] an evil eye;  on the substance of others, to get it, right or wrong; is an evil man, and takes evil methods to be rich ^F1; see ( 1 Timothy 6:9 1 Timothy 6:10 ) ; or an envious one; is an envious man; as the Septuagint and Arabic versions; he envies others, as the Vulgate Latin version, the riches of other men; he grudges everything that goes beside himself; and that makes him in haste to be rich, that he may be equal to or superior to others: or he is a sordid, avaricious, illiberal man, that will not part with anything for the relief, for others, and is greedy of everything to amass wealth to himself; an evil eye is opposed to a good or bountiful one, that is, to a man that is liberal and generous, ( Proverbs 22:9 ) ( Matthew 20:15 ) ; and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him;  for wealth gotten hastily, and especially wrongfully, diminishes, wastes, and comes to nothing in the end; it sometimes flies away as fast as it comes; it has wings to do the one, as well as the other: this the man in haste to be rich does not consider, or he would have taken another method; since this is not the true way of getting and keeping riches, but of losing them, and coming to want; see              ( Proverbs 13:11 ) ( 20:21 ) .   v23,  He that rebuketh a man  His friend and acquaintance, for any fault committed by him; which reproof he gives in a free and faithful manner, yet kind, tender, and affectionate. The word rendered “afterwards”, which begins the next clause, according to the accents belongs to this, and is by some rendered, “he that rebuketh a man after ME” ^F2; after MY DIRECTIONS, according to The Rules I HAVE GIVEN; that is, after GOD, and by HIS ORDER; or Solomon, after his example, who delivered out these sentences and instructions. The Targum so connects the word, and renders the clause,  “he that rebukes a man before HIM;”  openly, to his thee: but rather it may be rendered “behind”; that is, as Cocceius interprets it, apart, alone, privately, and secretly, when they are by themselves; which agrees with CHRIST’S INSTRUCTIONS, ( Matthew 18:15 ) ; afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue;  for though the reproofs given him may (be) uneasy upon his mind at first, and may be cutting and wounding, and give him some pain, and so some dislike to the reprover; yet when he coolly considers the nature and tendency of the reproof, the manner in which it was given, and the design of it, he will love, value, and esteem his faithful friend and rebuker, more than the man that fawned upon him, and flattered him with having done that which was right and well; or, as the Targum, than he that divideth the tongue, or is doubletongued; and so the Syriac version; see ( Proverbs 27:5 Proverbs 27:6 ) ( Psalms 141:3 ) .

“The Love of Christ Jesus”/”More Proverbs of Solomon,” XXXII

A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus

“Emmanuel,”  Norman Hutchins

“More Proverbs of Solomon,”  XXXII, Proverbs 28:20) A faithful man shall abound with blessings:  but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent. 

John Gill’s Exposition Of The Bible –  v20,  A faithful man shall abound with blessings Or, “a man of faithfulness” ^F21. A very faithful man, that is truly so; that is so in a moral sense; true to his work, makes good his promises, fulfils his contracts, abides by the obligations he lays himself under; is faithful in every trust reposed in him, be it greater or lesser matters, in every station in which it is, and throughout the whole course of his life. Such a man abounds with the blessings and praises of men; all value him, and speak well of him: and with the blessings of divine Providence; he is “much [in] blessings” ^F23, as it may be rendered; as in receiving blessings from God, so in giving them to men; such a man is usually charitable and beneficent. And it may be understood of one that is faithful, in a spiritual and evangelic sense; for of such characters are the followers of THE LAMB, ( Revelation 17:14 ) . It is in the original, “a man of truths” ^F24; one that has the truth of GRACE in him; that knows THE GRACE OF GOD IN TRUTH; with whom THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL Is; who has learnt it, known it, embraced it, values it, and abides by it; and who has a concern with CHRIST, WHO IS THE TRUTH, WHO IS FORMED, LIVES, AND DWELLS IN his heart; of WHOM he has made a good profession, and holds it fast, and WHOM he cleaves unto. The character of “faithful” belongs both to the True Ministers Of CHRIST, who preach the pure Gospel, and the whole of IT; who seek not to please men, but GOD; and not themselves, and their own glory, but THE THINGS OF CHRIST, AND HIS GLORY; and continue to do so in the face of all opposition: and to private Christians, the Faithful in CHRIST JESUS; who Truly Believe In HIM, stand by HIS TRUTHS, abide by HIS ORDINANCES, and are Faithful to one another, and continue so till death: these abound with THE BLESSINGS OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE, WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS IN CHRIST, WITH THE FULLNESS OF THE BLESSING OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST; they have an abundance of GRACE in them, given them in conversion, Faith, Hope, Love, Humility, and many other GRACES, in the exercise of which they are made to abound; and they have an Abundance Of Blessings of GRACE Bestowed on them, Pardon of Sin, A Justifying Righteousness, Adoption, Meekness for and right unto ETERNAL LIFE; They Have CHRIST, and all things along with HIM; so that they may be truly said to have all things, and abound; but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent;  he that is over anxious, and immoderately desirous of being rich, and pursues every method of obtaining his desires, with all his might and main; that labours night and day for it; though he takes no criminal nor unlawful methods, properly so called, nor does he do anything injurious to others, yet he is not innocent; that too much anxiety in him is criminal; nor is he free from covetousness; see ( Proverbs 23:4 ) ; and if he uses any unjust and unlawful means to acquire wealth, and resolves to be rich, right or wrong, “per fas, per nefas”, he shall not be innocent, neither before GOD nor men: so the Targum renders it,  “he that runs into iniquity, that he may be rich;”  and indeed when a man hastily, or in a short time, becomes rich, though he cannot be directly charged with fraud and injustice, yet he is not innocent in the minds of men, or free from their suspicious and jealousies of him. A man that makes haste to be rich is opposed to him that is Faithful and True to his word and contracts, and is the same that Juvenal ^F25 calls “avarus properans”; see ( 1 Timothy 6:9 1 Timothy 6:10 ) .

“The Love Of Christ Jesus”/Proverbs 28, “More Proverbs of Solomon,” XXXI

A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus

“Emmanuel,”  Norman Hutchins 

“More Proverbs of Solomon,”  XXXI, Proverbs 28:17) A man that doeth violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.  18) Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved:  but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.  19) He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread:  but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.

John Gill’s Exposition Of The Bible – v17, A man that doeth violence to the blood of [any] person  That sheds the blood of any in a violent manner; that lays violent hands upon a club, and takes away his life, contrary to the law in ( Genesis 9:6 ) . Or, “that is pressed because of the blood of any person” ^F17; pressed in his own mind; filled with horror, and tortured in his conscience, for the innocent blood he has shed: the letter “daleth” in the word “Adam” is lesser than usual; and Vitringa, on ( Isaiah 34:6 ) ; observes, that it signifies a man red with blood, oppressed in his conscience, and depressed by GOD, which this minute letter is a symbol of; and thinks it applicable to Edom or Rome: or it signifies one pressed, pursued, and followed by the avenger of blood; shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him;  support or help him. When such a murderer flees, and is pursued, and unawares falls into a pit, or is like to do so, let no man warn him of it, or help him out of it; or if he flees to a pit to hide himself, let no man hold him or detain him there, or suffer him to continue in such a lurking place, but discover him or pluck him out; or, if he is a fugitive and a vagabond all his days, as Cain, the murderer of his brother, was, till he comes to the pit of the grave, let no man yield him any support or sustenance.  v18, Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved,  Or “be safe” ^F18 from those that seek his life, plot against him, shoot at him, as the wicked do at the upright in heart, but THE LORD protects him; and it is even well with him in times of public calamities; THE LORD HAS HIS CHAMBERS AND HIDING PLACE for him; and he is safe from falling, as may be gathered from the opposite clause; for he walks surely, and is in THE HANDS OF CHRIST, and is kept by HIM from a final and total falling away: and he shall be Saved also with an EVERLASTING SALVATION; from sin, and all the effects of it; from the curse of The Law, from Wrath to come, from hell and damnation. Not that his upright walk is the cause of this; The Moving Cause Of Salvation Is THE GRACE OF GOD; The Procuring Cause, Our LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE ONLY AUTHOR OF IT:  but this is a descriptive character of the persons that are and shall be Saved; it is a clear case that such have THE GRACE OF GOD, And Therefore Shall Have GLORY; (See Gill on Proverbs 10:9); but [he that is] perverse [in his] ways;  “in his two ways”, as in ( Proverbs 27:6 ) ; or many ways, and all perverse and wicked: shall fall at once;  his destruction shall come suddenly upon him, when he is not aware of it, and when he cries, Peace, peace, to himself: or in one of them; in one or other of his perverse ways.  v19, He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread  Or, “shall he filled” or “satisfied with bread” ^F19: shall have bread enough, and to spare; provisions of all sorts, and in great plenty; (See Gill on Proverbs 12:11); but he that followeth, after vain [persons];  empty idle persons; keeps company and spends his time with them, when he should be about the business of his calling: shall have poverty enough;  or be “filled with [it]” ^F20; he shall be exceeding poor, reduced to the utmost distress, be clothed in rags and destitute of daily food.

“The Love Of Christ Jesus”/Sayings of King Lemuel, cont’d

A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus

“Sayings of King Lemuel,” cont’d, Proverbs 31:24) She maketh fine linen, and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  25) Strength and honour are her clothing’ and she shall rejoice in time to come. 1 Timothy 2:9, 10. 26) She openeth her mouth with wisdom: and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27) She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28) Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 1Kings 2:19. 29) Many daughters have done virtuously (or have gotten riches), but thou excellest them all. 30) Favour(Charm) is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Psalm 112:1. v31) Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Please see v23 corrected on previous Blog.
Nelson’s Compact Bible Commentary – v25, The virtuous woman’s own clothing is far richer than linen or silk; she is dressed in strength and honour. v26-27, Any woman who opens her mouth with wisdom deserves praise. A virtuous woman takes care to speak well (James 3:2). v29, The words of v29 are the blessing of her husband. v30-31, Charm may be used for good or for evil. But its good use requires the fear of the Lord—the main theme of the Book of Proverbs.

More to come and God Bless You.

“The Love Of Christ Jesus”/Sayings of King Lemuel

A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus

v1, This verse begins a new section of material from a non-Israelite source.  Some have thought that the name Lemuel, meaning “Belonging to God,” is a pseudonym for Solomon, but this is only a guess.    

“Sayings of King Lemuel”, Proverbs 31:1) The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy (burden) that his mother taught him.  2) What, my son?  and what, the son of my womb?  and what, the son of my vows?  3) Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.  4) It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:  Ecclesiastes 10:17.  5) Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.  6) Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.  Psalm 104:15.  7) Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.  8) Open thy mouth for the dumb (speechless) in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.  9) Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.  Isaiah 1:17.  10) Who can find a virtuous (morally good) woman?  for her price is far above rubies.  11) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.  12) She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.  13) She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  14) She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.  15) She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.  Romans 12:11; Luke 12:42.  16) She considereth a field, and buyeth it:  with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  17) She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.  18) She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:  her candle goeth not out by night.  19) She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.   20) She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  21) She is not afraid of the snow for her household:  for all her household are clothed with scarlet (or double garments).  22) She maketh herself covering of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.  23) Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. Deuteronomy 16:18.

Quest Study Bible – v1 cont’d, Lemuel shares wisdom that came from his mother, stressing the role a mother can have in building character into her children. 

Nelson’s Compact Bible Commentary – v2-7, Often in the ancient world a king would amass a large harem of women to involve himself sexually.  The wisdom of Lemuel’s mother was that such behavior destroys rulers.  She likewise advised him to avoid intoxicating drink, so that he could always have a clear head.  v8-9, The duty of a king in the ancient world was to defend the weak, to uphold the helpless.  One day, the King, the Defender of the helpless will establish His Righteous Reign (23:10, 11).  v10-12, Proverbs 31:10-31 is an acrostic poem: each verse begins with an successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet (S).  v13-15,   The woman they describe does things she enjoys, finding fulfillment in varied tasks.  v16-17, that is, she buys and sells and builds her own resources.  v18-19, One of the avenues the woman exploits is a “cottage industry” (using her home and her own equipment to make products to sell) .  v20-22, She can be concerned for others because she has provided for her family. v23, The virtuous women’s husband has a position as an elder (importance). Some of this comes from his wife’s reputation.

 

“The Love Of Christ Jesus”/Sayings of Agur, cont’d

A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus

“Sayings of Agur,” cont’d, Proverbs 30:18) There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:  19) The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.  20) Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.  21) For three things the earth is disquieted (trembles), and for four which it cannot bear:  22) For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;  Ecclesiastes 10:7.  23) For an odious (unloved) woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to (or displaces) her mistress.  24) There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:  25) The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;  Proverbs 6:6.  26) The conies (kin to woodchucks) are but a feeble folk, yet make their houses in the rocks;  Leviticus 11:5.  27) The locust have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands (gathered together);  28) The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings palaces.  29) There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely (stately) in going:  30) A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;  31) A greyhound; and he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.  32) If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.  Micah 7:16.  33) Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood:  so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

Nelson’s Compact Bible Commentary – v18, 19, The term translated virgin (maid) could also read “young woman” in this context.  v20, This Verse contrasts with the way of v. 19; this way is awful whereas the former is wonderful.  The adulterous woman regards her illicit sexual actions without remorse, as if she were finishing a plate of food.

Quest Study Bible – v21-23, What is so frightening abut these four things?  The potential for harm.  In each example someone is elevated to prominent status without being prepared for it.  These cases describe people who likely had been oppressed, but were now put in power where they could take out their frustration on others.  The maidservant who displeases her mistress brings to mind Hagar, who “displaced” her mistress Sarah by having Abraham’s child (Genesis 16:1-6).  v29-31, What can we learn from four things stately in their stride?  As these images suggest.  It is a grand, majestic sign to watch a leader move confidently forward to meet a challenge!  A king’s real leadership is not seen while he is seated on his throne, but when he leads his army to face the enemy.  These examples teach us that boldness and courage are virtues to be desired. 

Matthew Henry’s Concise Bible Commentary – 18-20.  Four things cannot be fully known.  The kingdom of nature is full of marvels. The fourth is a mystery of iniquity; the cursed arts by which a vile seducer gains the affections of a female; and the arts which a vile woman used to conceal her wickedness.  21-23.  Four sorts of persons are very troublesome.  Men of low origin and base spirit, who getting authority, become tyrants.  Foolish and violent men indulging in excesses.  A woman of a contentious spirit and vicious habits.  A servant who has obtained undue influence.  Let those whom Providence (GOD) has advanced from low beginnings, carefully watch against that sin which most easily besets (persistently threatens) them.  24-28.  Four things that are little, are yet to be admired.  There are those who are poor in the world, and of small account, yet wise for their souls and another world.  29-33.  We may learn from animals to go (proceed) well; also to keep our temper under all provocations (attempts to incite anger).  We must keep the evil thought in our minds from breaking out into evil speeches.  We must not stir up the passions of others.  Let nothing be said or done with violence, but every thing with softness and calmness.  Let us humble ourselves before the Lord our King!  Amen.

More to come and God Bless You. 

“The Love Of Christ Jesus”/Sayings of Agur

A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus

 

“Sayings of Agur”, Proverbs 30:1) The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy; the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,  2) Surely I am more brutish (ignorant) than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.  Psalm 73:22.  3) I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the Holy.  4) Who hath ascended up into Heaven, or descended?  who hath gathered the wind in his fists?  who hath bound the waters in a garment?  who hath established all the ends of the earth?  what is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if thou canst tell?  5) Every Word of God is pure:  He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him.  6) Add thou not unto His Words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.  Revelation 22:18.  7) Two things have I required of thee, deny me them not before I die:  8) Remove far from me vanity and lies:  give me neither poverty nor riches, feed me with food convenient for me:  Matthew 6:11.  9) Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord?  or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.  10) Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.  11) There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.  12) There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.  Isaiah 65;5; Titus 1;15, 16.  13) There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes!  and their eyelids are lifted up.  14) There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.  Psalm 14;4; Amos 8:4.  15) The horseleach (leech) hath two daughters, crying, Give, give.  There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough (wealth).  16) The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water:  and the fire that saith not, It is enough.  Habakkuk 2:5.  17) The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagle shall eat it.

Nelson’s Compact Bible Commentary –  Nelson’s Compact Bible Commentary – v1, A new section of the Book of Proverbs, begins with the words of  Agur.  Like Lemuel (31:1-9), Agur was a non-Hebrew contributor to the Book of Proverbs.  He came to faith in the God of Israel in a foreign land.  We know nothing about his father Jakeh, but the word translated “his utterance” may be a place name.  Ithiel and Ucal were probably Agur’s pupils.  Since the back to back repetition of the name Ittiel is unusual, some construe the Hebrew letters differently and translate the text “I have wearied myself oh God; I have wearied myself oh  God, and am consumed.”  This would fit the context of the following verses.  v2-3,  more stupid than any man:  Agur means he was at a loss.  Similarly, his denial of knowledge of THE HOLY ONE is a rhetorical flourish as well.  Agur was stating with dramatic irony that he could not explain the puzzle before him.   v4, This verse gives the riddle that perplexed Agur.  The questions are enigmatic (difficult to interpret).  They culminate in What is His name and What is His Son’s name, If you know?   At this point the riddle has no answer.  The Old Testament would answer that “HIS NAME IS THE LORD GOD, but did not have a NAME FOR HIS SON.  This riddle was to remain unsolved until Jesus Answered it for Nicodemus (see John 3:13).  These Verses are one of the most strait forward MESSIANIC TEXTS IN THE BIBLE.  v5-9, two things:  This was all that Agur needed.  v10,  This Proverb is unusual in warning against slandering a servant.  Slaves in ancient times were often regarded as less than a full person.  v11-16, Agur wrote about a generation plagued by social ills such as lack of respect of parents, self-righteousness, greed, and selfishness.  v17, mocks his father:  The lack of parental respect in v.11 leads to this curse.  The language is strong and violent, as is the punishment of the one who abuses his or her parents.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Bible Commentary – v1-6, Agur speaks of himself as wanting a Righteousness, and having done very foolishly.  And it becomes us all to have low thoughts of ourselves.  He speaks of himself as wanting Revelation to guide him in The Ways Of Truth and Wisdom.  The more enlightened people are, the more they lament their ignorance:  the more they Pray For clearer Discoveries of GOD, and HIS RICH GRACE IN CHRIST JESUS.  In Verse 4, There Is A Prophetic Notice of HIM WHO CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO BE OUR ADVOCATE.  THE MESSIAH Is Here Spoken Of As A PERSON Distinct From THE FATHER, But HIS NAME As Yet Secret.  THE GREAT REDEEMER IN THE GLORIES OF HIS PROVIDENCE AND GRACE, Cannot Be Found Out To Perfection (HIS ENTIRETY).  HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR CHRIST, The Foundations Of The Earth Had Sunk Under The Load Of The Curse Upon The Ground, For Man’s Sin.  Who, And What Is THE MIGHTY ONE That Dealt All This?  There Is Not The Least Ground To Suspect Anything Wanting IN THE WORD OF GOD;  Adding to HIS WORDS Opens The Way To Errors And Corruptions.   v7-9, Agur wisely Prayed for a middle state, that he might be kept at a distance from temptations; he asked Daily Bread Suited To His Station, his Family, and his Real Good.  There is a remarkable similarity between this Prayer and Several Clauses Of THE LORD’S PRAYER.  If We Are Removed From Vanity And Lies; If We Are Interested In THE PARDONING LOVE OF CHRIST, And Have HIM For Our Portion; If We Walk With GOD, Then We Shall Have All We Can Ask Or Think, As To SPIRITUAL THINGS.  When We Consider How Those Who Have Abundance Are Prone To Abuse The Gift, And What It Is To Suffer Want, Agur’s Prayer Will Ever Be Found A Wise One, Though Seldom Offered.  (The Food That Is Convenient For One), May Not Be So For Another; But We May Be Sure That Our HEAVENLY FATHER WILL SUPPLY ALL OUR NEED, And Not Suffer Us To Want Anything Good For Us, And Why Should We Wish For More?   Amen.

 More to come and God Bless You. 

“The Love Of Christ Jesus”/More Proverbs of Solomon, XXXII

A Christ Filled Life – Getting To Know Jesus

“There Is A Fountain” Evangelist Esther Smith.

“Walking Up the King’s Highway”, Loretta Oliver.

“More Proverbs of Solomon,” XXXII, Proverbs 29:17) Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. 18) Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. 19) A servant will not be corrected by (mere) words: for though he understand he will not answer. 20) Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 21) He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length (end). 22) An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression (sin). 23) A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Luke 14:11. 24) Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth (betray) it not. 25) The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe. 26) Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the Lord. 27) An unjust man is an abomination (hated) to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination (hated) to the wicked.

Matthew Henry Concise Bible Commentary – v17, Children must not be suffered to go without rebuke when they do amiss (wrong).  v18,  How bare does a place look without Bibles and Ministers!  and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls!  That Gospel is an open vision, which holds forth Christ, which humbles the sinner and exalts the Saviour, which promotes holiness in the life and conversation. These are precious truths to keep the soul alive and prevent it from perishing. v19, Here is an unprofitable, slothful, wicked servant: one that serves not from conscience or love, but from fear.  v20, When a man is self-conceited, rash, and given to wrangling (arguing), there is more hope to the ignorant and profligate (wasteful).  v21, Good usage (made use of) to a servant does not mean indulgence, which would ruin even a child.  The body is a servant to the soul, those that humor it, and are over tender of it, will find it forgets its place (the soul being more important).  v22, An angry passionate disposition makes men provoking to one another and Provoking To GOD.  v23, Only those who Humble Themselves shall be Exalted and Established.  v24, The receiver is as bad as the thief.  v25, Many are ashamed to Own CHRIST Now, AND HE WILL NOT OWN THEM IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT.  But he Who Trusts In THE LORD Will Be Saved From The Snare (Eternal Damnation).  Amen.  

More to come and God Bless You.